Being a girl group is comprised of several different elements--obscene popularity, talent (arguable), the sex factor, and a commanding stance on the pop charts. Oh, and trying to avoid the bitchiness that tears girl groups apart.

So here they are, the current starlets and the classic commanders.

These girls approached from the sex factor angle. Creator Robin Antin formed the group out of an ultra-popular burlesque show, recruiting young hotties who also had vocal talent. The Pussycat Dolls absolutely blasted onto the scene and have, since their first record, a massive following, due mostly to their rhythmically physical, superhot videos and shows.

Top Hits (according to iTunes sales)

• When I Grow Up (1st for video downloads)
• Don't Cha
• Stickwitu
• Wait a Minute
• Beep
• Buttons (2nd for video downloads)

Lasting Power -- Limited. While super hot and sexy, it's difficult to last as the "new hot thing"--and they have little besides uberhotness.

.....which gives way to PCD Jr:

Girlicious

Girlicious, created by PCD mastermind Robin Antin, has actually been fostered by the Pussycat Dolls. While they don't have a stake in the game yet, they are the heir apparent to the leopard print throne.

Songs Available:

• Stupid S***, a nothing if not slutty rendition of the school girl fantasy
• Like Me, a boastful but catchy beat that has more of the PCD soul.

Girl Group Potential -- High. These girls have good voices and are caught in a media machine. They're also really good-looking, but the problem is actually overexposure--as much as I love PCD, it seems really wrong to have a video with 18 year olds stripping off their school girl outfits and having a pillowfight in panties. Sometimes, girls, MORE is MORE.

P Diddy's pop creation is a pop sensation. With their smash hit "Damaged" they've come to really dominate the scene they already had a stake in after "Show Stopper" and "Ride for You". Signed by P Diddy's Bad Boy Records, they also have nearly unlimited potential in the industry.

Top Hits

• Damaged (2nd in video downloads)

• Show Stopper (1st in video downloads)
• Ride for You
• Sleep on It
• Touching my Body

Lasting Power -- Really, really high. They're cute, they're young, they do have a decent amount of talent, but most importantly they are really really taken care of by their connections. Because of who they know they could really open up different ways for their sound to expand--and with it, their popularity.

Now granted, these ladies are on a break, or broken up, or whatever they want to call themselves--they all are off doing their own thing, and Beyonce is hotter than the sun. However, this is the top selling girl group of all time, and to that they get one hell of a nod.

Top Hits (Really, their entire #1's CD, but the most popular singles from that CD)

• Say My Name
• Jumpin Jumpin
• Cater 2 U
• Survivor
• Independent Women Part 1
• Lose My Breath

While they are broken up, they still will always score super lasting potential. Especially since three successful careers have come out of it, and Beyonce is a supersuper star. And they have a Christmas album, and as Mariah Carey has taught us, popularity is defined by a christmas album. Yeah.

Am I the only person who doesn't find these women remotely sexy? And for that, they get an extra nod--they are the highest grossing currently producing girl group, or number 5 all time in girl group history. Which is incredible, considering they have never sold the sex factor. Not only that, but these women are taking on politics AND country music--a daunting combo if there ever was one.

Top Hits

• Not Ready to Make Nice
• The Long Way Around
• Lullaby
• Easy Silence
• I Hope
• Wide Open Spaces

Lasting Power -- High They arent' running on sex factor, which means their sex appeal can't run out, and their talent isn't easing up any time soon. As long as they continue to be totally fearless and excellent role models for women everywhere, I think they've found themselves a niche that no one's going to touch.

This is the British Import that almost no one I know in America listens to, but it's only a matter of time. They have Europe on their knees. This group is Spice Girls 2.0, with more sex, more power, and much poppier beats. Like Danity Kane, they their start from a similar Brit production, and are hailed as one of the only reality-tv induced groups to achieve massive success, with 18 consecutive top ten debuted singles. If you haven't yet, it is time to check them out.

Top Hits

• Something Kinda OOOH!
• Sexy! No No No
• Jump
• Sound of the Undergroud
• The Show
• No Good Advice

Lasting Power -- Huge. This is a British pop sensation that show no signs of slowing down--it's only a matter of time before the US opens its loving poppy arms as well. The only downside is their electronica influence, a musical genre that's sidelined in the US. It's also the best work-out music I have on my iPod!

So what's YOUR hottest girl group? Personally, my fav is probably Pussycat Dolls, all considered. Hey, they may only be hot for the next minute, but their sexy and that's what the summertime is all about.

Thanks for reading, and as always, check out my blog!